Whiskey and tequila continued to edge out beer in 2014

NEW YORK, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Sales of hard liquor, especially whiskey and tequila, rose in 2014 with spirits continuing to edge out beer at U.S. bars and liquor stores.

Hard liquor accounted for 35.2 percent of the market in 2014, up from 34.7 percent a year earlier, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States or Discus reported Tuesday. While beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country, its share fell to 47.8 percent, while wine sales remained flat at 17 percent.

Beer's market share, 56 percent in 1999, fell below 50 percent in 2010 and has continued to inch downward.

Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey are driving an export boom, the report said. Total exports of the two stood at $1.2 billion for the year, 70 percent of all U.S. exports of hard liquor.

"Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey is the story," said Christine LoCascio, the council's senior vice president for international trade.

Sales of tequila were up 5 percent by volume, with premium brands up 15 percent. Vodka sales rose only 1.6 percent.

Overall, wholesale liquor sales were up 4 percent to $23.1 billion, buying 210 million cases. Retail sales were almost $70 billion.